Chapter 16
T he next morning, Darlene was in the kitchen, tidying up the remnants of breakfast, when Felicity walked in. Her granddaughter’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she grabbed a dishcloth and started wiping down the counters.
“So, Gran,” Felicity began, her tone light and teasing, “you and Mark seemed pretty cozy last night on the porch.”
She felt her cheeks warm as she focused intently on scrubbing a particularly stubborn spot on the frying pan. “We were just enjoying the evening. It was a beautiful night.”
“It looked like more than just enjoying the evening to me. Did he kiss you?”
The question hung in the air, and her heart skipped a beat as she recalled the moment on the porch, the electricity that had crackled between them. She set the pan down and turned to face her granddaughter, her expression serious.
“No, he didn’t kiss me,” she said softly. “But I’m positive he was going to, right before you interrupted us.”
“Oh, Gran, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to ruin the moment. I feel terrible.”
She shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. “It’s all right. These things happen. And maybe it’s for the best. Mark and I… well, it’s complicated.”
Felicity set down the dishcloth and moved closer. “Gran, I know you care about him. And from what I’ve seen, he cares about you too. Don’t let fear hold you back from something that could be wonderful.”
She sighed. “I know you’re right. But Mark is still grieving for his wife, and his stay here is only temporary. I don’t want to get my hopes up for something that might not be possible.”
Felicity reached out and took her grandmother’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“I understand, Gran. But don’t close yourself off to the possibility of happiness, even if it’s just for a little while.
You deserve to be loved and cherished, and if Mark can give you that, even for a short time, isn’t it worth taking a chance? ”
She stared out the kitchen window, watching the palm fronds sway in the breeze and the dancing shadows below them. Felicity’s words struck a chord, but the reality of her situation with Mark remained complicated.
“I appreciate what you’re saying, sweetheart.” She turned back to the task at hand, running fresh water over the breakfast dishes. “But at my age, taking chances isn’t as simple as it used to be.”
Mark’s presence here had awakened something she’d thought long dormant. Their easy conversations, shared laughter, and quiet moments felt precious. Natural. But her practical side couldn’t ignore the temporary nature of their connection.
“The B&B needs my full attention right now,” she said, more to convince herself than Felicity. “With the new inn opening and bookings down, I can’t afford distractions.”
“Gran, the B&B will still be here whether you allow yourself to be happy or not.”
Darlene dried her hands on a kitchen towel and walked to the coffeepot, where she poured herself a fresh cup. The familiar aroma steadied her thoughts. “You know, when your grandfather left, I promised myself I’d never depend on anyone else again. The B&B became my anchor, my purpose.”
“But Mark isn’t Dean.” Felicity’s gentle words hit home.
No, Mark definitely wasn’t Dean. Where Dean had been restless and unreliable, Mark was steady and thoughtful. His grief for Sarah spoke of a man capable of deep love and commitment.
She took a sip of coffee, letting the warmth spread through her. “You’re right about that. Mark is different. But he has his own life waiting for him back in the city. Publishers, deadlines, book tours. That’s his world, not our quiet little island.”
The memory of last night on the porch flooded back—the way Mark’s hand had found hers, how natural it felt to lean into him, the current of possibility that had sparked between them. But along with those sweet memories came the shadow of doubt.
“I spent years building this life, creating something stable and meaningful. The idea of disrupting that balance, of opening myself up to…” She paused, searching for the right words. “To disappointment. It’s frightening.”
“Oh, Gran.” Felicity wrapped an arm around Darlene’s shoulders. “Being scared just means it matters.”
“Maybe,” she said, unable to commit to anything. Uncertainty still swirled in her mind like cream in coffee, refusing to settle into any clear pattern or answer.
She shook her head, clearing her thoughts. “New topic. Now, last night you said you came looking for me because you wanted to talk to me. What’s up?”
Felicity frowned. “Maybe now isn’t a good time.”
“Of course it is. My situation with Mark isn’t going to change in the next few minutes. Sit. Tell me whatever it is you wanted to talk about.”
Felicity sat down at the kitchen table, her expression tentative and uncertain. She could sense that whatever Felicity wanted to discuss was serious.
“What is it, sweetheart?” she asked, taking a seat across from her. “You know you can tell me anything.”
Felicity took a deep breath and fidgeted with the placemat in front of her. “Brent and I have been discussing something. He has another research project coming up. He’s headed out for California. And…” She paused, her eyes meeting Darlene’s. “He’s asked me to come along.”
She felt a sudden tightness in her chest, a combination of surprise and a twinge of sadness. She had grown accustomed to having Felicity around, to the laughter and energy she brought to the B&B. The thought of her granddaughter leaving, even temporarily, was difficult to process.
“But I told him I have to talk to you,” Felicity continued, her words tumbling out in a rush.
“I know you’ve gotten used to my help around here.
I can’t bear to think of you doing all this alone again.
I’ve learned how much work it is to run the B&B.
And with the new inn opening and bookings being down, I feel awful leaving you to handle it all on your own. ”
She reached across the table and took her granddaughter’s hand in her own. She could see the concern etched on Felicity’s face, the worry that she might be letting her down.
“Oh, hon,” she said softly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “You know I love having you here. Your help has been invaluable, and I’ve cherished every moment we’ve spent together.”
She paused, gathering her thoughts. As much as she wanted to keep Felicity close, she knew that her granddaughter had her own life to live, her own dreams to pursue.
“Listen to me. You have your whole life ahead of you. If Brent is asking you to go with him, it means he cares about you and wants you by his side. That’s a precious thing, and I don’t want you to miss out on it because of me.
If going to California with Brent is something you want to do, then I want you to do it. ”
“But I feel like I’m abandoning you.”
“You could never abandon me. You’ve been such a help these past few months, and I’m grateful for every minute we’ve had together. But I managed the B&B on my own for years before you came to stay. I can do it again. You should go with Brent.”
Felicity’s eyes widened as a mix of surprise and relief washed over her features. “Really? You sure you’re okay with that?”
She smiled, hoping to reassure her. “Of course I am. I want you to be happy, to experience new things, and follow your heart. And if that means going on this adventure with Brent, then I support you completely.”
Felicity’s eyes filled with tears, and she stood up, moving around the table to wrap her in a hug. “Thank you, Gran. You have no idea how much that means to me. I love you so much.”
“I love you too, sweetheart,” she murmured.
She held her granddaughter close, leaning into the warmth of the embrace. She knew that letting Felicity go wouldn’t be easy, that the B&B would feel emptier without her here. But she also knew that it was the right thing to do.
As they pulled apart, she cupped Felicity’s face in her hands, looking into her eyes. “I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become. No matter where you go or what you do, remember that you always have a home here with me.”
Felicity nodded. “And I promise, I’ll come back to visit as often as I can.”
She felt a bittersweet mix of emotions as she watched Felicity wipe away her tears, a newfound excitement shining in her eyes.
Change was never easy, but it was a part of life.
And as much as she would miss her granddaughter, she was grateful for the time they’d had together, and she wanted Felicity to feel free to live her own life.
She smiled at her granddaughter. “Now, run along and tell Brent the good news.”
Felicity kissed her quickly, a smile spreading across her lips. “I will. Thanks, Gran.”
Felicity rushed out of the kitchen, and Darlene sat there trying to figure out her thoughts. So much had happened over the last day. Her feelings for Mark. The almost-kiss. And now finding out Felicity was leaving.
She finally stood, picked up her coffee mug, and walked over to the sink. Life had a way of throwing curve balls when least expected. She hadn’t expected Mark to come into her life, nor had she expected Felicity to leave.
One of her grandmother’s sayings ran through her mind. “Trust the journey, even if the destination is unclear.”